Well, that time is upon us: the month of our Annual State Conference. We’ll get together one last time for learning and fellowship before the holidays and the New Year. But what else does the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas Conference signify?
For one, and especially on an even-numbered year, the State Association meeting is the culmination of our efforts to develop, review, and adopt Resolutions, which help outline our legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. This year, we’ve seen some really great ones added to address our serious needs at the county level: biosolid application regulation, prioritization of natural resources (in relation to development), and ambulance deserts, just to name a few. CJCAT Program Director Rick Thompson is working with County Progress Editor Julie Anderson to develop a series of Resolution Spotlights to “tell the story” behind many of our Resolutions. This month’s issue includes a spotlight on our Resolution addressing municipal utility districts.
I want to thank so many of you for stepping up, speaking up, and coming together to articulate our needs to the Texas Legislature and other state elected officials. My prayer now is this: that they will listen and act on behalf of these serious needs and issues, and most importantly on behalf of our constituents who are the ones most directly affected by these issues. The impact of these concerns on our communities is why we are speaking up to represent them.
So, back to the conference: I want to thank my CJCAT Board, Allison, Bass & Magee, the Texas Association of Counties, the V.G. Young Institute of County Government, County Progress, our venue and the CVB, our sponsors, our vendors, Hays County, and my own Comal County for what we have put together for you later this month. I want to thank you for putting your faith in me to lead our organization. It has truly been an honor to serve on your behalf, and I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity.
We’ve got some great curriculum planned, engaging speakers, and a bunch of fun activities on tap, too. See you in Hays County for our State Conference!
